Roman Provincial: Judaea, Pseudo-autonomous issue Ascalon. Dated CY 176 (AD 72/3). AE

Roman Provincial: Judaea, Pseudo-autonomous issue Ascalon. Dated CY 176 (AD 72/3). AE 15.9mm 4.10gm veiled Tyche / Galley sailing

Obv: Turreted, veiled and draped bust of Tyche right.

Rev: Galley sailing left; above, date (ςOP).

Ref: RPC 2204

*** (72–73 AD), the region was recovering from the catastrophic ⁠First Jewish-Roman War:

The Fall of Masada: The absolute final stronghold of the Jewish rebellion fell to the Roman legionaries in 73 AD, marking the definitive end of the war.

Ascalon’s Pro-Roman Stance: Unlike much of Judaea, the harbor city of Ascalon remained fiercely loyal to the Romans. As a reward, it was designated a free city (oppidum liberum) by Rome.

Commemorative Coinage: To celebrate the Roman victory under Emperor Vespasian, Ascalon struck a famous series of bronze coins dated CY 176. These coins depicted ⁠Phanebal, the local war god, holding a curved sword, shield, and palm branch, alongside ships celebrating Roman maritime dominance.

Military Occupation: The Roman Tenth Legion (Legio X Fretensis) was actively stationed in the province to enforce order. Some of the Ascalon coins minted in CY 176 even bear a stamped countermark ("LXF") from these soldiers passing through the city***

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Sku# 1676